EBRD suspends loan for Romanian coal plant Turceni
Press release | 30 January, 2015Bucharest — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) confirmed this week that it has suspended plans to finance the refurbishment of the Turceni coal power plant in Romania. The project is currently subject to a number of legal challenges on environmental grounds and Romanian authorities are investigating allegations of corruption at the plant.
Read moreCitizens of Romanian town protest against EBRD long-term “strategic” client Kronospan
Blog entry | 23 January, 2015Protests against a new Kronospan formaldehyde plant in the Romanian town of Sebes continue into their third week. Their history dates more than ten years back when the company came to modernise the local plant with financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The ongoing demands for breathable air cast a shadow over the EBRD’s promises of sustainable development and transition.
Read moreGuest post: Mongolian herders file complaint with EBRD about Mongolian iron ore company
Blog entry | 21 January, 2015Herders from the Gobi Altai mountains in western Mongolia have filed a complaint with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The complaint addresses the company Altain Khuder, which at its Tayan Nuur iron ore mine has allegedly caused significant environmental pollution and the displacement of herders in the Mongolian Gobi Altai mountains.
Read morePipe Dreams: Why the Southern Gas Corridor will not reduce EU dependency on Russia
Press release | 21 January, 2015Brussels – The Southern Gas Corridor, the EU’s new pet energy project, is not only unnecessary in light of gas demand projections, but also seems likely to fall short on the much flaunted goal of bringing energy independence from Russia, according to a new NGO study “Pipe Dreams” published today.
Read moreOhrid Lake facing damage by EBRD financed infrastructure projects
Press release | 12 January, 2015Concerns mount about increasing threats to Macedonia’s protected areas and the Lake Ohrid UNESCO site by EBRD investments in fast-tracked infrastructure projects.
Read moreAll we want for Christmas is to be able to breathe …
Blog entry | 23 December, 2014As you’re gearing up for the festive season, spare a thought for the long-suffering folks in Pljevlja, Montenegro, and Zenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are fighting against serious pollution of air soil, and water.
Read moreDust, displacement, intimidation – Mongolian herders are under pressure by iron ore mine
Blog entry | 9 December, 2014Herders in the Mongolian Gobi Altai mountains are facing pollution and displacement by an iron ore mine. The mining company Altain Khuder responds to criticism with intimidation. The financier, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, is not doing enough to protect herders’ rights.
Read moreBoskov Most suspected of breaching Council of Europe nature protection convention
Press release | 5 December, 2014Skopje/ Strasbourg – The Standing Committee of the Bern Convention, a binding international legal instrument in the field of nature conservation for signatory countries, announced today (pdf) that it will open a case file to address the complaint made by Eko-svest about the planned hydropower plants in Mavrovo national park.
Read moreHow much will the Macedonian hydropower plant Boskov Most really cost?
Blog entry | 5 December, 2014The total costs of the Boskov Most hydropower plant project in Macedonia will possibly cost more than twice the projected EUR 84 million, considering that many aspects have so far not been studied or remain unresolved.
Read moreEnergy security for Europe or profit for Lukoil?
Blog entry | 4 December, 2014Despite the Russian invasion in Ukraine leading to EU and US sanctions against Moscow and major Russian energy companies, public banks supported by EU countries are just gearing up to offer a one billion dollar loan to Russian company Lukoil for gas extraction in Azerbaijan.
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